Heat Exchangers or Condensers in conjunction with Accumulators (Reflux Drums) are typically found connected to the top product piping of distillation (fractionating) towers. The product first flows through a set of heat exchangers for cooling then through an accumulator or reflux drum to hold the condensed vapour from the top of the column so that liquid (reflux) can be recycled back to the column or moved upstream for further processing. Final product is sometimes processed through filters before being added to storage. The filters are the blue painted tanks. The heat exchangers are the two horizontal tanks and the reflux drum is the larger diameter tank.

Pipe Transfer Line

The pipe transfer line has two levels of piping (4 rows of pipes on the top level and 3 rows of pipes on the lower level). All pipe rows are controlled with gate valves. At the back end the pipes are diverted to ground level while at the front all pipes are attached to ground level common pipe run. In the standard configuration this pipe run is diverted into the ground at both ends. Attached to the pipe stand is a maintenance platform allowing access to the top level and the control valves located there. The piping complex footprint is approximately 10 x 9 x 7(H) inches.

Floating Top Storage Tank

A new addition to Model Structures Oil Refinery series this tank measures six inches in diameter and 6 inches in height. These tanks can be used to store crude or finished product. Each tank has a wrap around style stairway from the ground to a platform on top of the tank. The structure comes standard with a manway plus inlet and outlet nozzles. Decals are also available at added cost. Usual practice is not to have railing on the wind girder since it is not meant to be walked on. However railing will be supplied if desired.

The Oil Refinery structures are our most popular product line to date. The photos above show demonstration complexes,​customer orders and layouts.

The typical oil/petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant with many different structures designed to receive crude oil , processes and refine it into petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas. Oil refineries are typically very large complexes with extensive piping running throughout, connecting the various chemical processing units. To model a complete refinery would take up a lot of space on a layout. So Model Structures has designed various stand alone structures that can be purchased separately. This way you can choose and fit the structures you like for your layout. While all standard product is designed for underground piping Model Structures will be happy to design for an additional cost the necessary above ground piping using our pipe stands to connect all purchased product. If you prefer we will also design and build complete refinery complexes based on your instructions.

The Model Structures Oil Refinery consists of the following custom built structures:

The plastic trackside series is divided into 11 categories. Please select any one of the links below to view our product.

Twin Vertical Storage Tanks

These tanks can be used in the refinery as storage for fuel/oil or an additive for mixing. They can also be used in an oil/ethanol refinery site as slurry or distillation tanks. The footprint is approximately 7 x 2 inches including the piping. The tanks (1 ½ inch diameter) stand about 9 inches tall.

To aid in the selection of structures for your refinery feel free to open the link to the PDF file “How Oil Refineries are Set Up” (Updated) which gives basic in formation on how refineries operate and what structures are typically present.

Model Structures for Model Railroads

Elevated Storage Tank

The Elevated Storage Tank has been re-designed. These tanks are elevated off the ground by a set of four H-columns connected by angle iron. The smaller tank is 3" by approximately 7" with a total footprint of approx. 5" while the larger tank is 4" by approximately 8" with a total footprint of approximately 6". These tanks are designed to be used to store additives for mixing or as storage for downstream product. They can also be added onto any other products offered such as the Fuel Loading Platform (see below) or the Bulk Fuel Tower. Choose from two sizes, three colors and your favorite RR logo.